Learn the best way to play blackjack
Blackjack, also known as 21, is a popular card game found in virtually every casino around the globe. Its appeal lies in the simplicity of its rules, the strategic depth it offers, and the fact that it provides one of the lowest house edges of all casino games. This guide will take you through the objectives, rules, options, strategies, and even share some stories of big-time blackjack winners.
How to Play Blackjack (21) Video
Objectives of Blackjack
The main goal in blackjack remains consistent: defeat the dealer’s hand without exceeding a total of 21 points. This section expands on the essential scoring rules and strategic objectives players aim for in a game of blackjack. Let’s take a closer look at how to play blackjack like an expert.
Card Values Explained
- Number Cards (2-10): These cards are the simplest as they’re worth exactly the value they display. A 2 is worth two points, a 3 is worth three points, and so on up to 10.
- Face Cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings): Each of these cards is worth 10 points, regardless of their suit or face. They are pivotal to forming strong hands, often leading to the coveted 20-point hand when paired with another 10-point card.
- Aces: The Ace is unique as it can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on what is more advantageous for the hand. This flexible value makes the ace one of the most powerful cards in blackjack. If an Ace is counted as 11, the hand is referred to as a “soft” hand, because it has two possible values. For example, an Ace and a 7 can be worth either 8 or 18. If further cards are added to this hand and it remains under 21, the ace will adjust to 1 to avoid busting.
Strategic Objectives
- Beating the Dealer’s Hand: The ultimate aim is to have a hand total that’s higher than the dealer’s without going over 21. If your hand exceeds 21, you bust and lose immediately, even if the dealer busts as well. This aspect of the game adds a layer of strategy as you decide when to take more cards and when to stand based on the dealer’s visible card.
- Understanding “Soft” vs. “Hard” Hands: A “soft” hand includes an Ace counted as 11, giving the player flexibility. For example, a soft 17 (Ace + 6) could be played aggressively or conservatively since the total will not bust with a single additional card. A “hard” hand is one where the total value is fixed without an ace, or the ace can only be valued at 1 to avoid busting. Players tend to take more risks with soft hands and be more conservative with hard hands.
- Deciding When to Hit or Stand: The critical decision in blackjack is whether to request another card (hit) or to end your turn (stand). This decision is influenced by the likelihood of getting a card that will improve your hand without busting, known as the basic strategy. For example, players will often stand when their hand totals 17 or more because the risk of busting is high.
- Aiming for Blackjack: The best possible hand is a two-card 21, known as a “blackjack” or “natural,” typically formed with an Ace and a 10-point card. This hand is particularly powerful as it offers a higher payout than other winning hands and beats all other hands, including those totaling 21 that are made up of three or more cards.
The Role of the Dealer
- Dealer’s Constraints: Understanding the dealer’s constrained actions can influence your strategy. In most versions of blackjack, the dealer must hit until they reach a soft 17 (in some casinos, they stand on all 17s). This rule affects your decision-making, especially in situations where the dealer shows a card that is likely to bust.
- Comparing Hands: After all players have completed their actions, the dealer reveals their hidden card and may draw additional cards. Winners are determined by comparing hand values. If both player and dealer hands are the same, it’s a “push,” and the player’s bet is returned.
By mastering these objectives and understanding the value and strategic implications of each card, players can significantly enhance their gameplay and decision-making in blackjack. While the game is fundamentally simple, its depth allows for continuous learning and skill development, making it both accessible for beginners and continually challenging for seasoned players.
Rules of Blackjack
Here are the fundamental blackjack rules:
- The Setup: Blackjack is typically played with one to eight 52-card decks. Players start by placing a bet. Then, the dealer gives two cards to each player and to themselves. The dealer has one card face up (the “upcard”) and one card face down (the “hole card”).
- Player’s Turn: Players look at their cards and decide how to play their hand. The basic choices are:
- Hit: Take another card.
- Stand: Keep your current hand.
- Double Down: Double your bet and get exactly one more card.
- Split: If you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands.
- Surrender: Available in some games, allowing you to give up your hand and lose only half the bet.
- Dealer’s Turn: After all players have played their hands, the dealer reveals their hole card. Dealers must hit until their cards total 17 or higher.
- Winning and Losing: Players win if their hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s or if the dealer busts. If a player busts or has a lower hand than the dealer, they lose.
Options and Features in Blackjack
Understanding the various options and features in blackjack is crucial for strategic gameplay. Here, we delve deeper into the specifics of insurance and even money, two options available in certain situations during a blackjack game.
Insurance
- What is Insurance?: Blackjack Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer’s visible card (upcard) is an Ace. The concern for the player is that the dealer’s other card (the hole card) could be a 10, making blackjack. Insurance allows players to place a separate bet, typically half of their original wager, on the possibility that the dealer has a blackjack.
- How it Works: If you take insurance and the dealer has a blackjack (a 10-value card as the hole card), the insurance bet pays 2:1. This payout effectively covers the loss of your original bet. However, if the dealer does not have blackjack, you lose the insurance bet and the game proceeds as normal.
- Strategy Considerations: From a strategic standpoint, taking insurance is generally considered a bad bet for players who are not counting cards. The odds of the dealer making a blackjack are usually less favorable than the payout, making it a losing bet over time. Card counters might use information about the deck composition to make informed decisions about taking insurance.
Even Money
- What is Even Money?: Even money is a specific type of insurance bet offered only when you have blackjack and the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. In this scenario, there is a risk for a push if the dealer also has blackjack. To avoid this risk, the even money option allows you to be paid immediately at a 1:1 rate before the dealer checks their hole card.
- How it Works: By accepting even money, you’re essentially getting the insurance payout instantly without waiting to see if the dealer has blackjack. If you decline even money and the dealer also has blackjack, the hand is a push, and you retain your original bet but don’t win anything additional. If the dealer does not have blackjack, your blackjack typically pays at 3:2.
- Strategy Considerations: Similar to insurance, even money can be seen as a safety net against the dealer hitting blackjack. However, mathematically, accepting even money is equivalent to taking insurance, which is not favorable in the long run for most players. The exception again lies with card counters who might decide to take even money based on their understanding of the remaining cards in the deck.
Analyzing the Value
Both insurance and even money involve understanding risk and reward:
- Risk Aversion: Some players prefer the guaranteed payout of even money, especially if they’ve bet a significant amount. The allure of a sure win can be strong compared to the risk of ending up with a push.
- Long-Term Strategy: Over many hands, insurance and even money bets add to the house edge. They are essentially separate bets on whether the dealer has a 10-value card as a hole card, and statistically, less than one-third of the cards in the deck are worth 10 points.
- Card Counting Impact: For card counters who can keep track of the number of 10-value cards remaining in the deck, the decision to take insurance or even money can be more informed and potentially profitable. However, for the average player, consistently avoiding these bets is a more sound strategy.
In summary, while blackjack insurance and even money offer a way to hedge against dealer blackjacks, they generally increase the house edge against the player. Understanding these options and making informed decisions based on your overall strategy and bankroll is a critical aspect of becoming a proficient blackjack player.
Basic Blackjack Strategy
Basic strategy in blackjack is a comprehensive set of rules dictating the optimal play for every card combination. Developed through statistical analysis, it minimizes the house edge and maximizes the player’s chances of winning in the long run.
Here’s a deeper look:
Understanding Basic Strategy
- Chart Formation: A basic strategy chart is organized with the player’s hand on one axis and the dealer’s upcard on the other. For each intersection, the chart prescribes the optimal move: whether to hit, stand, double down, or split.
- Soft vs. Hard Hands: The strategy distinguishes between “soft” hands (hands with an Ace counted as 11) and “hard” hands (without an Ace or with an Ace counted as 1). Soft hands are more flexible and have their own set of strategic decisions, particularly around doubling down and hitting.
- Pair Splitting: The strategy indicates when to split pairs. Splitting can turn unfavorable hands into more potentially profitable ones, especially with value cards like Aces and 8s.
- Doubling Down: This involves doubling your bet mid-hand in exchange for one additional card. Basic strategy dictates the optimal times to double down, often when your hand value is 9, 10, or 11, or you have a soft 16, 17, or 18.
The Importance of Consistency
Applying basic strategy requires consistent play. It’s a long-term strategy, meaning it reduces the house edge over a significant number of hands. Deviating from it based on hunches or superstitions typically increases the house edge and reduces the likelihood of winning.
Card Counting and Advanced Blackjack Strategies
Card Counting Basics
- What Is Card Counting?: Card counting is a method used to track the high and low cards left in the dealers’ deck. By keeping a “running count” of certain values as cards are seen, a player can determine when the remaining deck is rich in high cards (favorable to the player) or low cards (favorable to the dealer).
- Counting Systems: There are several systems, from simple to complex. The Hi-Lo system is one of the most popular, where cards 2-6 are +1, 7-9 are 0, and 10-Ace are -1. The running count helps determine when to increase bets.
Advanced Strategy Implications
- Bet Variation: With card counting, players increase their bets when the count is positive (indicating a surplus of high cards). When the count is negative, they decrease their bets or avoid playing.
- Playing Decisions: Beyond bet variation, card counting can influence deviations from basic strategy known as “index plays.” These are situations where the count indicates that straying from basic strategy is statistically advantageous.
- Legal but Monitored: While card counting isn’t illegal, casinos reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Casinos employ various measures to counter card counters, including multiple decks, frequent shuffling, and observing betting patterns.
Combining Strategies
While basic strategy provides a foundation for all players, combining it with card counting and other advanced techniques can give skilled players a significant edge. It’s important to note, however, that these strategies require practice, discipline, and a solid understanding of the game. They are tools for the player willing to study, practice, and play with consistency and focus. Whether you’re just learning the basics or delving into the world of card counting, remember that blackjack is a game of skill, chance, and continuous learning.
Stories of Big-Time Blackjack Winners
- Don Johnson: Not a card counter, Johnson, a corporate executive, won over $15 million from three casinos in Atlantic City over six months through strategic playing and negotiating specific rules with the casinos to get an edge.
- Ken Uston: A famous card counter, Uston made millions from casinos and authored several books on blackjack and card counting.
- The MIT Blackjack Team: Perhaps the most famous, this group of students and ex-students from MIT, Harvard, and other colleges used card counting techniques and more sophisticated strategies to win millions from casinos worldwide in the 1990s.
Conclusion
Blackjack (21) is a game of skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. Understanding its rules, mastering the basic strategy, and knowing your options are the keys to turning the odds in your favor. Whether you’re playing at a casino or online, blackjack offers one of the most engaging and potentially profitable experiences of any gambling game. Remember, while the strategic depth of blackjack can be enticing, it’s crucial to gamble responsibly and enjoy the game for the entertainment it provides.
Blackjack FAQs
- What is the best hand in blackjack?
- The best hand is called a “Blackjack”, which is an Ace with a 10, Jack, Queen, or King, totaling 21.
- Is card counting illegal in blackjack?
- No, card counting is not illegal, but it is frowned upon by casinos, and you may be asked to leave if caught.
- Can I always win with the basic strategy?
- While basic strategy significantly improves your chances, it doesn’t guarantee a win due to the inherent house edge and elements of chance.
- What does it mean to ‘split’ in blackjack?
- Splitting is dividing a pair of cards of the same value into two separate hands and playing them independently.
- How does the dealer decide when to hit or stand?
- Dealers follow strict rules set by the casino, usually hitting until they reach a total of 17 or higher.
- What is a “soft hand” in blackjack?
- A soft hand is a hand that includes an Ace counted as 11 without busting, offering more flexibility in choices.
- What does ‘double down’ mean?
- Doubling down means doubling your initial bet in exchange for committing to stand after receiving one additional card.
- Is online blackjack different from playing in a casino?
- The rules are generally the same, but online blackjack may offer more variations and typically faster gameplay.
- Can I make a living playing blackjack?
- While some professionals do make a living, it requires skill, discipline, and a significant bankroll, and it’s not without substantial risk.
- What’s the role of luck in blackjack?
- While skill and strategy are important, luck plays a role in the short term due to the random nature of card dealing.
- How do I know if a game of blackjack is fair?
- Look for games in reputable casinos or online platforms that use Random Number Generators (RNGs) and are regularly audited for fairness.
- Why do casinos keep offering blackjack if players can have an edge?
- Most players don’t play perfectly, and even with an edge, the risk and variance provide a profit for casinos over the long run.